7stanes Newcastleton

Close to the Scottish - English border, Newcastleton has trails for all levels of rider and offers a great introduction to the 7stanes. The routes at Newcastleton are generally shorter than most other 7stanes, but the high quality single-track on offer is guaranteed to put a big grin on your face!

There is a lot going on trail-wise with new single-track added on the CAddrouns blue route, ongoing trail work by the local volunteer trailbuilding group, the Newcastleton Trail Warriors and plans to develop further links between Newcastleton trails and those recently opened at Kielder Forest just over the border.

From the trailhead there is a short but steep and exposed climb on a forest road, but the initial climbing is kept to a minimum as you are soon through a gate and to the point where each route starts properly. Here you wil find the Skills Loop, packed with features including lots of low-level timber trail to test your balancing skills. It is an ideal spot for beginners or for even more experienced riders to practice their skills.

For those looking to stretch their legs a little more, the Caddrouns blue route at 5.5kms is just the ticket. This first half of the route is on forest road, which climbs gently taking you deeper into the forest. Soon you are at the start of the first single track descent. Recently upgraded, this section will quickly have the adrenaline pumping as the trail twists and turns its way down through the forest. Onto a new section of single-track, you are climbing again, but soon it is onto the routes piece de resistance - 2kms of wide, smooth, swoopy single-track, which dips and weaves through the forest, across gullies and over boardwalks. It is a veritable grin-fest of descent, which takes you just about all the way back to the trailhead.

The red route is relatively short but super sweet. From the off it's straight into the route's signature section of trail, Hidden Valley. Narrower and steeper in places than the blue single-track, the 3.5km long section is a blast to ride as it weaves back and forth across the valley side over bridges, boardwalk sections and rock drops - fast, flowing descents mixing with cheeky climbs.

Next, a long, gradual uphill stretch of forest road follows, before the route darts left on to single-track, down into the trees, over an arched bridge, onto a long boardwalk section which crosses 'The Bog', then up a short steep zig-zag climb to the road. More single-track climbing follows taking you higher up into the final descent and onto a lunar-like plateau. One more short climb and it is into the final descent, Swarfe Hill. Fast, bermy and peppered with small jumps and drops, this section will leave you on a high and wanting more. And with the whole route just over 10kms long, another lap may well be in order!

Finally, the black graded North Shore Area is one of the most extensive and impressive in Scotland. With the qualifier setting the tone, the trail traverses a narrow ridge before dropping steeply down a wide timber ramp towards the main timber complex. Here, there are several lines to take, from wider flowing sections with cambered turns, jumps and drops to narrower, trickier log skinnies. All require nerves of steel and the bike handling skills to match.

Other Info

Routes
Green - Skills Trail, 0.4km
Blue - The Caddrouns, 5.5kms
Blue - The Linns, 8km
Red - 10.5km
Black - Black Ridge Section, 0.5km

Bike Shops/Hire:
Hawick Cycle Hire 01450373352
Palace Cycles 01228 523142
Scotby Cycles 01228 546931

Getting There

Bonchester Bridge to Newcastleton village on the B6357, then unclassified road at south end of Newcastleton village, with 7stanes signs.

Distance from:
Jedburgh - 26 miles  
Carlisle - 24 miles
Edinburgh - 74 miles
Glasgow - 106 miles

Website

• www.7stanes.gov.uk